Visit Drayton Hall Near Charleston, South Carolina
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Drayton Hall Fireplace Mantel
Hey guys, this is what natural patina looks like. The Real Deal. When we visited Charleston in May we toured a couple of plantations. Drayton Hall was my favorite, hands down. The plantation house has been preserved….not restored.
Drayton Hall Plantation House – Back View
I bet you guys are thinking the same thing I did when I saw the house. What? This isn’t a “southern plantation”. I was looking for the white columns and the deep porches/verandas. Drayton Hall was built somewhere between 1740 and 1750 and the architectural style is Palladian. This view is the back side of the house facing the drive and the front side faces the river. Thank you Steven for sharing information on the home with me.
From Wikepedia…..Drayton Hall … An outstanding example of Palladian architecture in North America and the only plantation house on the Ashley River to survive intact through both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, it is a National Historic Landmark.
Can you just imagine the stories those lovely walls could tell.
This is the road leading in to the plantation.
The portico …I was calling it a porch…is huge, with large marble columns and ornate wrought iron railings. All of the outbuildings were destroyed at one time or another. The white patch on the lawn shows the location of one of the buildings.
The medallion on the ceiling in the great room is stunning. Yep, there are a few stars and other details missing but it’s still a beauty.
The small circle and medallion is right over the main entry.
Natural Patina
The walls were painted various shades of blue when the plantation was repaired after the civil war. The original color of the walls was a creamy khaki. The naturally worn paint is too pretty for words. You guys know how I love to age and distress furniture. I was just in awe. I took tons of pictures but don’t worry, I’m not sharing all of them.
I wanted to take those walls home with me. On the tour we were asked to not get within 3 feet of the walls. There were large rugs in each room that helped corral all of us.
More beautiful details.
This room is different colors and a different style. The tour guide said it was not for guests to see, that’s why it isn’t as ornate.
See what I mean about the different style in this room.
The staircase and banister is just as detailed as the walls.
This room is on the second floor and I believe it was the office of the plantation owner.
The ceiling is just as pretty as the walls.
A better look at the room so you get the overall picture. I had a hard time taking photos of entire rooms because I didn’t want to get the other people on the tour in the photos.
A shot looking out from the office.
That JTS, he’s so darn cute. This is the front of the house leading into the bottom floor which contains the kitchen and other rooms.
There is a lot of excess building materials in the kitchen area. What about that gigantic fireplace on the left?
This was the school room.
The walls on the bottom floor were either brick or plaster covered brick.
Sitting area along the Ashley River at the front of the plantation.
Looking at the front of the plantation house from the walk to the rivers edge. One of my readers shared some information with me about Drayton Hall and I don’t think he would mind if I shared it with yall. It is in the comments below too.
From Steven Jeffrey Small…. I was born and raised in Charleston, and have been told contradicting stories over the years. 1) The river side of the house is the actual “front”, as most visitors would have arrived from the city by boat. The other side with the double portico would have allowed a viewpoint overlooking the fields being farmed. 2) Drayton Hall was not an actual agricultural plantation, but the administrative seat of a collection of plantations, and if it had been a working plantation it would have grown rice like all the other neighboring homes on the Ashley river (which would have meant the fields were NOT on the double portico side of the house), but in the marsh along the river.
I would love to go back to Charleston. There are so many things to see and do. I found this list and we missed a few things…..Best Places to Visit in Charleston.
I hope you liked the tour. Have a great day and I’ll see you later this week!
Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines.
Really nice photos. I was born and raised in Charleston, and have been told contradicting stories over the years. 1) The river side of the house is the actual “front”, as most visitors would have arrived from the city by boat. The other side with the double portico would have allowed a viewpoint overlooking the fields being farmed. 2) Drayton Hall was not an actual agricultural plantation, but the administrative seat of a collection of plantations, and if it had been a working plantation it would have grown rice like all the other neighboring homes on the Ashley river (which would have meant the fields were NOT on the double portico side of the house), but in the marsh along the river.
Oh that is so awesome!!!!
Your story is similar to mine. My father taught me a love of history and now my kids love it too.
I visited Graceland about 14 years ago. Unfortunately I don’t think I have any photos😞. I remember how interesting every room we were allowed to see brought back many memories of my own past. We even saw a Pink Cadillac but it wasn’t at Graceland but close to it. I don’t know if it was “THE” Pink Cadillac.
The saddest part was the gravesite. There were many tears from many people. Thanks for sharing your tour. It brought back sweet memories for me.
The south is SOOOOO interesting and there are so many things to see! I recently took my 13 yr old granddaughter to Charlestown SC, Jekyll Island Ga, then to see the home of Helen Keller. It was 10 days of sightseeing, laughs, and learning all about history. I am a huge history buff thanks to my Dad and my kids caught it from me. I am so thankful that a 4th generation loves history!! I’m taking her to Washington DC soon where I grew up. I can’t wait to watch her learn!!♥️
Absolutely beautiful! I’d move in and not change a thing! The plantation that is. Thank you for the tour. Would love to see more pictures, you take very interesting views.
It was great living vicariously through your pictures. I love visiting historical places. With your photos, which were great, I feel like I was there with you.
I have been here many years ago. We were not able to see as much of the home as you did so I loved seeing all of them.
We toured all the plantations along the Ashley River. Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Thanks for the tour!!!!!
I always enjoy visiting old buildings to see their aging beauty!
Love this. Thanks for sharing
Cool tour; thanks so much!
So glad this home has been preserved. Even in our little town, some wonderful structures have been torn down, letting go of our history. Thank you for the pics; so glad you enjoyed your vacation.
This is my kind of house! Love that woodwork above the fireplace in the office. The staircase is just gorgeous. I might have to shine up that wood a little, though. I want a big ole house like this!